Customer Reviews

Some Men Are Lookers

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
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This book, the final of the four-volume Buddies series, is by far the best in that series. It is gripping; when I finished the book, I was emotionally drained and somewhat in shock -- the story ended and I was not exactly certain what had just happened to me, somewhat akin to viewing an accident or something else traumatic. Having read the other three volumes in short succession, I raced through the book, shocked at points, dismayed by some characters' actions, and developed a whole new appreciation and affection for Cosgrove (helped by the fact that he and I are about the same age). As I read the book, I hoped it would never end, as I wanted to continue to live the lives of these characters, but when I reached the unbelievably emotional and heavy end of the book, I realized one key element to all of Mordden's writing in this series: this series is a sort of gay male "Ring" cycle. This book, the final one, entails the destruction of the entire world that was so carefully constructed throughout the first three books: like Ragnarok, it brings about the end of the old and the creation of a new world from its ashes. I wished to see what came of these characters, to see if Little Kiwi/Virgil/J. would be redeemed, and how Cosgrove and Bud fared in this brave new world of the late 1980s: but then I realized, slowly, that it could not be seen as it was a whole different line of thought and not capable of being part of this series. Heartbroken by this, but exhilarated at the same time, I commend this series, the author who wrote it, and highly recommend the series as a "must read" for all who appreciate contemporary gay fiction. Absolutely astounding and by far the best of the series.

morddens first three books were terrific, deeply moving and honestly human companions through the darkest years of the aids crisis. the characters are so real that the reader becomes part of that unusual extended family of choice. the unique charm and wit of the author is undeniable on every page and between the lines. the fourth, long awaited volume fits completely in the readers expectations after the first three books. don't believe a word of the kirkus-jerk's review. this is family, for god's sake! and it enlightens the shadowed rainbow-colors of the gay community during the last years, without getting whiny or too depressed over all the grief. as an aids-widower i'm deeply grateful for these books and i'm glad mordden is still around to write many more. ethan, keep up the good work!

The "Buddies" series of Ethan Mordden is composed by five delicious books narrating with humour, zany wit and profound sensibility the life of some gay friend in Manhattan:Bud, the narrator , his closest friend Dennis Savage, Dennis' lover Little Kiwi (aka Virgil Brown aka J.), the "elf-child" trickster Cosgrove and the gentle hunk Carlo, and their friends, parents and acquaintances."Some men are Lookers" shows the growing independence of Little Kiwi,little no more, whilst Cosgrove is in full bloom and gives his best (or his worst) in "What a difference Miss Faye Made", when he invites a shameless drag-queen at a dinner for Peter Keene, prospective Dennis Savage's editor. Another great story is "Exorcis", a funny/tragic story, Little Kiwi/Virgil and Cosgrove offer to their friends the vision of a movie "The lost boys", wayward boys turning into vampires. Among the one-liners, arrives the last call of an old Dennis Savage's acquaintance,but Dennis wouldn't listen. He will learn a sour lesson by his ever more independent Virgil,who will become (to their friends dismay) gradually ever more "mature" and estranged.
I have grown fond of these characters, of their disputes, growing pains and various adventures, punctuated by a sparkling dialogue and, at times, poignant sentimental moments. Something of a family, as Bud calls it. It's an exquisite read for gays and non-homophobic straights alike, because this little microcosm's tales tell us something about tolerance, the meaning of love, the endurance against discrimination and hatred, that has universal value. I counsel you all to read them! They're really funny and inspiring.But the spooky, the tragic and the hysterically funny intertwine magnificently in these stories, worthy of Saki, O'Henry and Oscar Wilde.

I love this book! I love this series and it absolutely pains me to think that this may be the last (I say maybe because originally Buddies was supposed to be the last). It is such a difficult book to pick up and read because every emotion invested in the previous three books is tested. My love for Dennis Savage's irony becomes sorrow at the hope that he will lose face and stay with Little Kiwi. My love for Little Kiwi's innocence becomes concern for his actions. It's like watching your child make questionable decisions and knowing that no matter what the result, the choices that they make are theirs, and there's nothing you can do about it, but let them be chosen. It's hard letting Little Kiwi grow up and become Virgil Brown. I imagine it's the same way with a child, but at least then you get to see what happens! Mind you, the book like the other three is a comic genius with subtle, feeling humor that has you laughing one minute and crying the next. But just like "Just Above My Head" by James Baldwin (which I highly recommend), I have been unable to pick up this book and read it again. It simply leaves me realing with so many feelings, yet I would not trade the experience reading it with anything. How does one mix merriment with malaise so well? Read the book and find out.

Change, difficult change is happening in the characters. Dennis Savage growing bitter, almost unrecognizable to Bud. Cosgrove growing, both in himself, but also in the author's understanding of Cosgrove the character--it feels to me like the author reveals more as he figures out more. Cosgrove as holy fool archetype, but also more a real young man, and the same happening, at a much more accelerated rate, to Little Kiwi/Virgil/J. (And we have the reference to Aeneas so the choice of the name Virgil seems to be no accident).

The line that broke me, and I had to put the novel down and cry for awhile before I could pick it up again, was when Virgil has just returned, and Cosgrove says in one of his free-floating divinations, "I want a little faithful dog with a cute nose that he pushes against you because he doesn't know what will become of him."

This novel (yes, it is stories, but it's really a novel, isn't it) is a thunderstorm of characters growing, changing, resisting loss, resisting change, angry, and leaving, and trying to come back--from Cash, perhaps to Dennis--but everything is changed now and he doesn't know what will become of him.

Yes, the novel is funny. But more often than not it's difficult, and frightening.

And love, and desire for a family, and fear of loss of that family, and rage at the ORIGINAL families--parents who were capricious, and vicious, and unwilling to accomodate the changes and the signs of life in their children, reverberate beneath the surface of the characters.

The best and worst aspects of this book are the dialog. Most is brilliant, some is hard to follow. The relationships are unusual, even by gay standards, but always interesting. The author knows what is "hot" and throws plenty into the story, even if most of his characters may pretend to be shocked. I want more.

Even though this is the fourth of Mordden's series on gay Manhattan, this is the first one I've read. I immediately went out and purchased the third, which attests to the fact that I found lots of fun and solace in reading this book. Between the laughs, I felt swell because I could recognize the musical comedy quotes and the references to gay life in the 70s and 80s on the east coast. I think it's interesting that the Kirkus review mentions Ivy Compton-Burnett because the relationships in this book have the same elusive quality as the ones in her books, often characterized only by quirky dialogue. However, I disagree with the Kirkus review: I found this book and especially the repartee to be funny, and several of the episodes are quite moving. It's amazing to see that a good writer is recording the paths our lives have taken within gay culture: I was reminded of myself and my early friends, many of whom are now gone. And, as sappy as this sounds, I felt that our friendships and caprices had all meant something after all

Mordden is poking fun at our ridiculous gay sub-culture. The novel definitely pulls and tears at the tidy package most contemporary gays try to pawn off as normal. Gay relationships are not normal in our society! Mordden is over it and has embraced the fact that that is what makes them so attractive and beautiful and interesting to us gay men. This novel is for anyone who thought they knew what "gay relationships" were all about or for anyone who can define a day in the life of a homo.

This is not a novel of praises for gay relationships and Gay America. Oh no. This is a witty, refined slapstick rendition of a generation of gays who take themselves too damn seriously. I laughed at myself throughout the entire novel. Read it if you have the guts.

"The fourth volume in Mordden's acclaimed and beloved "Buddies" cycle follows the exploits of his best loved characters - Dennis Savage, Little Kiwi, Carlo, Cosgrove, and Bud -- as he lays bare the emotional landscape of the city within a city that is Gay Manhattan." - from Stonewall Inn

I didn't grow up anywhere near the book's New York City setting and I'm a bit younger than the primary characters, but I recognized enough of their lives to joyfully follow along. And their younger significant others -- "the kids" -- can be hilarious and infuriating at the same time. This is the first of Morden's books I've read, but I'll be getting others. I was touched at times by the relationships (the differences in how characters act in groups vs. when they are alone with their partners.) While the book deals with some serious topics, such as AIDS and cheating partners, it's certainly not all serious. At one point, I was laughing so hard my eyes squinted so I couldn't see to read. Yeah, there are gay stereotypes all over the place. But who cares? I still really enjoyed it.